The Sheep Dogs of Anatolia: Yörük Koyçıs

The most fascinating "dog" book I have ever read. The author presents the Sheep Dogs of Anatolian through the lens of an anthropological study of the people, culture, climate, economy, politics, migrations, and traditions of Anatolia and surrounding regions throughout the ages of recorded human history. The passion and force of the authors explanations of controversial issues is remarkably engaging and thought provoking. Issues regarding the "breed requirements", ear cropping, puppy selection, "wrestling", natural selection, genetics, and many others, are hit head on without hesitation in an uncompromising, sometimes brutally honest, fashion. The book is expressly not an "owners manual", but rather it is a powerful defense of the way of life and people that produced this most extraordinary "land race" of dogs, which are unrivaled livestock guardians. While I cannot agree with some of the authors points, including some rather harsh (maybe somewhat true) opinions of Americans and Westerners, I appreciate the concepts as presented from the point of view of people who know and understand these magnificent dogs and the duty they perform in Anatolia, and elsewhere around the world. I have an Anatolian Shepherd, that we rescued as an orphan. I did not know what I was getting into! This book has helped me understand the history of these dogs - the how and why they were breed, which in turn helps me understand my dog's behavioral instincts and how to interact with her to adapt her to this environment. One must understand the function for which these dogs are bred. I strongly urge any dog enthusiast to read this book. Some of the content is potentially inflammatory, and one must discern the kernel from the husk, but I value other, non-conformist points of view, and I value the authors right to dissent from popular opinion. Here we have discussions reaming out the AKC and other established "authorities", we have argument against "hip dysplasia certification", against micro-chipping, against "breed standards", against the shift away from the pastoral way of life, etc. But in the end, the book paints a beautiful picture of mankind and dog coming together to make a thing of beauty. The conclusion is this: if the nomadic pastoral function of the dog is destroyed, how far behind is the destruction of the "land race" of dogs?

This book was authentic, thorough, and eye opening. I have several dogs of Anatolian origin working in the field with livestock. This book gives a perspective of these dogs enlightened by the necessary eastern perspective. The key points:a. Turkish working dogs were developed as landrace breed based on performance traits. The application of western aesthetic criteria and breed standards via the kennel clubs will destroy the very genetic selection process that made the dogs legendary. The hyper-focus on appearance over temperament by those with a commercial interest, and the tendency of western buyers to fall into the trap, will accelerate the divergence and dilution of the traditional Coban Kopegi.b The difference between Anatolian transitory livestock management requirements and western static livestock management requirements are inevitably diluting the lines of the dogs, especially as traditional selection processes for the dogs are discarded.c. The variation in dogs such as Kangal, Yoruk (claimed as the modern Boz), and others has historically been very diverse and fluid, and that breeding with a primarily aesthetic focus from dogs with micro-regional traits excludes most of the gene pool.d. The application of western standards to dog "preservation" dilutes the lines, not preserves them.e. Defined breed standards in Anatolia along with those often encountered on social media are based on commercial interest and not pastoral traditions. The gene pool is being intentionally constricted and manipulated for profit in Euros and Dollars, which trump the Lira.f. These blue collar dogs are being turned into dogs for the aristocracy and a show breed, not a working breed.g. The shepherd community has been exploited by the kennel club/breeder community.h. Traditional practices for caring for and developing this breed as guardians produce different results than western practices. The western system, due to worldview and legal reasons, cannot fully execute traditional Anatolian management practices.All in all, this book is a must have for those owning Anatolian Shepherd Type dogs, or looking to purchase one for working purposes. I wish I had read this book before I accepted at face value the claims of some breeders in the United Stated and Turkey about what makes a Kangal a Kangal, etc. The truth is, the genetic potential of the dog, individual temperament, and early practices with pups are the key to producing dogs like the ones of legend. This book will help give an insight into the breed which may be useful when determining if the breed is right for you, whether your care practices can be tailored or modified, explain some of the behaviors encountered, and whether narrative controlled commercial interests are encroaching on your purchase decisions. I already held my dogs in high esteem..........this book took that esteem to a new level and also recalibrated the way I understand everything about them in a positive manner.

A superb, scholarly book! Written by a Turk. Wow! Remarkably well-done with astute observations and information....the author has obviously spent his entire life, silently observing animals (including the dogs of Turkey). This is conveyed by his realistic assessments of dogs, trends, breeding, rearing, herding...etc..Not at all a book for the person who elects to steward ever-juvenile breeds...and/or the person who appreciates ever-juvenile, foolish dogs who can do lots of tricks yet do not have the remote sense to not...(for instance)...jump off of a cliff after a tennis ball...this is a book for the person who appreciates a dog still in possession of his/her inherent and rightful sense of "self". Tis a book supporting the natural selection process based upon a dog's ability to excellently self-manage large flocks of sheep or goats...tis not a book with standards of beauty mentioned. Great fotos. Tons of info on regional phenotypical variations in the dogs themselves....etc...THANK YOU Guvener Isik...

Well written and the culmination of a lifetime of personal, firsthand experience with this awesome dog breed. Highly recommended!

I own a dog whose parents were sheep dogs of Anatolia. This is a very straight forward view of the dogs of this country, their evolution and ancient instincts. I only hope the breed does not fall prey to the modern American habit of improving the breed till it no longer resembles or performs as the noble breed it is.

A great book with a lot of info on my dog! Although it definitely takes some time to understand when reading it.

The more I learn about them the more I want to know. Just bought 2 puppies. Loving it!

An absorbing book. The information contained is concerned with the livestock guardian dogs of Anatolia. It comes partly from the author, who has drawn on his own relevant experiences, but mostly it's drawn from the shepherds themselves. Life there can be harsh for all concerned, as they guard against the cold, and the wolves, and the urban bureaucrats who seem to want to make life for the shepherds (and the dogs) as difficult as possible.

What an interesting and well researched book. Should be read by anyone interested in Guardian dog breeds of Europe

Ordine arrivato nei tempi e in ottimo stato.Libro dettagliato sulla storia, la "biologia", il lavoro e i fattori culturali che hanno plasmato questo cane.Inglese scorrevole e facile da leggere, contenuto davvero appassionante malgrado sia molto scientifico e dettagliato.Libro davvero importante.

Libro "non semplice" e molto "tecnico" ma facilmente comprensibile e molto completo. Peccato per le foto in b/n, a colori sarebbero state più belle.

Aus meiner Sicht das umfassenste und wissenschaftlich fundierteste Werk über die ursprünglichen Hunde des heutigen Anatoliens. Anfänglich für mich als Deutscher, bzgl. der gehobenen englischen Sprache etwas schwer zu verstehen, aber wenn man es dann durch hat, kann man sich getrost alle deutschen Publikationen zum Thema " so called Kangal" sparen.